Local prospects await calls in NFL draft

The 2014 NFL draft prospects line up on the awning of Radio City Music Hall for a photograph in New York, Wednesday, May 7, 2014. The draft, which takes place at Radio City Music Hall, will start on Thursday, May 8. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The NFL draft has finally arrived with several local prospects hoping to hear their names called from the podium of Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

The draft will span three days and will be televised live on ESPN and the NFL network. The first round will begin Thursday at 6 p.m. MDT with the second and third rounds taking place Friday and rounds 4-7 Saturday.

All three local FBS programs have former players projected to hear their names called sometime over the next three days, with at least a couple of those prospects expected to be drafted Friday. BYU outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and Utah defensive back Keith McGill are the highest-rated in-state college prospects and are projected by most to go in the second round.

Utah State’s top prospect is cornerback Nevin Lawson, who is projected to go in either the third or fourth rounds, according to most projections.

The state’s top NFL prospect is former Timpview standout and UCLA Bruin offensive lineman Xavier Su’a-Filo. Most services project Su’a-Filo as a late first round to early second round selection as one of the top, if not the top offensive guard prospect in the entire draft.

Others such as BYU’s Daniel Sorensen and Cody Hoffman and Utah’s Jake Murphy and Trevor Reilly are projected as late-round selections at best.

Xavier Su’a-Filo: 6-4, 307, OL, UCLA (Timpview HS)

The former Timpview standout logged 38 career starts in his time at UCLA — starting every game since his true freshman year. He was named an All-Pac-12 first-team performer last season and saw time at both left tackle and left guard in his three seasons.

Projection: Su'a-Filo stands the best chance of any local prospect of going in the first round. Most experts believe he'll go early in the second round at the latest.

Kyle Van Noy: 6-3, 243, OLB, BYU

Van Noy played a huge role within BYU's defense all four years in the program and ended his superlative career with 226 tackles, 62 of those for a loss, seven interceptions and 26 sacks.

Projection: Most services have Van Noy going anywhere in the second round with a few projecting him as a third-round selection.

Keith McGill: 6-3, 211, CB, Utah

McGill originally played safety for the Utes but was switched to corner after sitting out 2012 with a shoulder injury. He rose to become an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection playing cornerback as a senior.

Projection: Most services have McGill going anywhere from the middle of the second round to early in the third.

Nevin Lawson: 5-10, 190, CB, Utah State

Lawson played a big role within the Aggie defense since his freshman year and started 39 consecutive games at cornerback. He was named an All-WAC Conference performer in each of his final two seasons.

Projection: Most services project Lawson as a third or fourth round selection.

Trevor Reilly: 6-5, 245, DE, Utah

Reilly was a standout for the Utes playing at both outside linebacker and defensive end. He started 32 games over his career and ended last season as the team leader in tackles (100) and in sacks (8.5.)

Projection: Projections for Reilly vary widely from prognosticators. Some see him going in the third round while others don't even list him as a potential draftee.

Jake Murphy: 6-4, 249, TE, Utah

Murphy played three seasons for the Utes and ended his career with 63 receptions for 830 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is the son of former MLB great Dale Murphy.

Projection: Most have Murphy as a late round pick with some projecting him to go as early as the fifth round.

Cody Hoffman: 6-4, 223, WR, BYU

Hoffman finished his stellar career as the most productive receiver in Cougar history despite battling injury issues as a senior. Hoffman logged 260 receptions at BYU and 33 touchdowns.

Projection: Hoffman is projected as high as a sixth round draft pick with some services projecting him as going undrafted.

Daniel Sorensen: 6-1, 205, S, BYU

Sorensen started three seasons playing safety for the Cougars and recorded 211 tackles and nine sacks over his career.

Projection: Sorensen is projected to go in the late rounds or go undrafted, according to most experts.

Maurice Alexander: 6-1, 220, S, Utah State

Alexander finished his senior season ranking fourth on the team with 80 tackles (40-solo, 40-assist) and fourth in tackles for loss with 9.0.

Projection: Seventh round pick or undrafted.

Tyler Larsen: 6-4, 312, C, Utah State

Larsen was named a USA Today Sports Second-Team All-American, a Rimington Trophy Finalist, and as First-Team All-Mountain West his senior season.

Projection: Seventh round or undrafted.

Tenny Palepoi: 6-1, 298, DT, Utah

Palepoi started for the Utes last season and had 53 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks with one forced fumble.

Projection: Seventh round or undrafted.

Eathyn Manumaleuna: 6-2, 296, DL, BYU

Manumaleuna was a four-year starter for the Cougars and played at both defensive end and nose tackle.